Judges' Comments

The judges agreed to award two prizes in this round of entries due to the high quality of  both pieces, but also because they reflect the variability and scope of first-year writing at  Wellesley.  

Michelle Mantilla’s A Desert of Dreams offers a compelling and reflexive interpretation  of Philip Zimmerman’s book project that draws on both critical analysis and her own life  history. The paper is beautifully written and thought-provoking, and makes excellent use of  the resources of Special Collections. 

Tatia Bolkvadze’s The Suicide of Dorothy Hale: A Recuerdo, a Criticism and Frida’s  SelfSearch presents a unique and exhaustive analysis of the titular painting. The writing is  incisive, fluid and highly readable. The critical analysis of the work extends in new and  exciting directions, offering the reader a fresh perspective on the life and work of Frida Kalho.